Meadows at Millennium Park Grand Rapids Wedding

Meadows at Millennium Park Grand Rapids Wedding

I looked forward to Maria and Kristen’s wedding for over a year. I love Grand Rapids weddings, and I was pumped to finally photograph a wedding at Millennium Park. Grand Rapids has a million stellar locations for pictures and it makes my little photographer heart so damn happy. But more than where it was being held, what made me most excited was who the wedding was being held FOR.

Maria and Kristen booked me wayyyyyy in advance (thank you ladies) and after their engagement session on Mackinac Island, I was obsessed with them. Maria is artistic and semi-extra in the best way. Kristen is the life of the party and a total instigator. You’ll notice in the gallery below that Maria’s portrait was crafted by framing her in bouquets of her bridesmaids creating an image worthy of a Beyonce cover (disagree and I’ll cut you). Kristen’s is her semi-smirking under the sign for a local Grand Rapids bar called the Tin Can. Both are perfect.

Thank you Maria and Kristen for being my hype girls. Love you.

Venues: Meadows at Millennium Park and The Revel Center

Intimate Camp Blodgett Wedding

INTIMATE CAMP BLODGETT WEDDING

Featured on Offbeat Bride: here

Camp Blodgett is one of my all time favorite Michigan wedding venues. The first time I photographed a wedding there, I found my heart racing as I wound down a long drive through tall pines and quaint camp grounds until I came to the Loeks Retreat Center that would be Christine and Marta’s home base for the wedding day. It sits perched upon a hill overlooking Lake Michigan, and I immediately ran down to the lakeshore to photograph the simply stunning ceremony arch created with what looked like driftwood and flowers. Like, literally. It was the first thing I did.

I was early (as per usual) because this was not only my first time at Camp Blodgett, it was also my first time working alongside the incredible fox & fern events and I wanted to photograph every last detail of their gorgeous design. 

After checking in on the brides who were still getting ready in the upstairs guest rooms, I headed down to see the reception space in the fireplace room of the Retreat Center.

What I saw made me smile sooooooo big. Geometric shapes played off of organic wildflowers and the room was very boho-meets-ikea. Which made absolute sense because those opposites mirror the bride’s personalities. Just like their relationship, it WORKED. Science beakers and teal glassware- hand-dyed ombre napkins and airplants in golden geometric holders- vintage loveseats with modern pillows- this wedding was eclectic and FUN.

After photographing all the decor, I began to collect the couples personal details for their wedding flat lay and that’s when Marta showed me the STUNNING morganite ring that she wanted to give Christine during their first look. You see, they had a legal wedding ceremony prior to this celebration with their friends and family, and Marta knew that her wife (who self-describes as “extra”) would love a bonus ring. It was massive and sooooo fun to photograph.

Finally, I headed upstairs to see if the brides were almost ready.

That’s when Christine revealed that she had not one, not two, but THREE wedding dresses. One a little more traditional for the ceremony, a Zac Posen for the dinner and first part of the reception, and a light and more comfortable party dress for dancing. Remember the “extra” thing? I love her so much! She also had a cape… because of course she did.

After the most precious first look and Chrstine’s awestruck reaction to the bonus wedding ring, it was time for a ceremony written by the brides around Dr. Seuss’s classic “Oh, The Places You’ll Go.”

The rest of the night was blur of laughter and dancing and ice cream and I’m pretty sure Marta’s mom ended up skinny dipping in the lake.

LGBTQ Kalamazoo Michigan Wedding

LGBTQ KALAMAZOO MICHIGAN WEDDING

I cried a lot at this wedding. Like a lot.

You would think that being a wedding photographer means that you get used to it, but you don't. I felt this one deeply for a million reasons. Because I went to kindergarten with Josh and still remember playing tag on the playground. Because when I met Chris for the first time, he hugged me like he already loved me. Because after 12 years of love, they deserve marriage.

When the courthouse unexpectedly closed on their wedding date, Josh and Chris invited their closest friends and family to their home for the ceremony. They celebrated the next day with a backyard reception full of drinks, amazing barbecue, dancing, and JOY.

Weddings like this remind me of why I'm a photographer. I see what makes these two perfect for each other, and I want to share it with the world.

Coolest Backyard Food Truck Wedding Ever

COOLEST BACKYARD FOOD TRUCK WEDDING EVER

They had me at “Backyard Wedding,” and again at “Food Truck Wedding,” and again with every damn detail of this incredible day. Like, customized masks for guests!?! Ceviche apps and guacamole and a Taco Truck? The details were already amazing, but Rachel and Caitlin’s personalities took this wedding from amazing to one of my all-time favorites.

They had their first look at the airbnb, and afterwards, we did some portraits in the backyard. This was one of those times that I wish I could do a comparison of what the location looked like behind the scenes and what magic we captured in pictures. Sure, the airbnb was pretty, but there were a lot of colorful chairs and lawn furniture and distracting elements in the yard. So, I tucked the couple into an overgrown bush and had them sit on an end table 🤣

What can I say? When it works it works!

By this point, it was time to drive over to the ceremony location at a friend of the couple’s home. Just WOW. Heather from Blushing Designs and Emily from Connolly House Events put on such a cool and classy event. The social distancing was made fun with custom face masks and adorable hand-lettered signage.

But even the stunning decor paled in comparison to the beautiful ceremony officiated by their friend Ashley. Rachel and Caitlin exchanged their vows and I was awestruck by the poetry of their words. I mean, just read them:

I Rachel take you Caitlin to be my wife from this day forward. You strengthen my weaknesses and bring focus to my dreams. You are loyal and full of adventure. Your mind is a rainbow and you walk like champagne- the perfect balance of entertainment and repose. You are the color gold in all of its shades and I walk wholeheartedly into this life with you.

I promise to be faithful and honest,
To treat you with respect and honor you as my wife
To help you be your best self, and forgive you when you are not
To fill our life with warmth and adventure
To chase you up the mountain knowing you will follow me back down
To hold you and be held by you for as long as we live.

I Caitlin take you Rachel to be my wife from this day forward. You strengthen my weaknesses and bring focus to my dreams. You are fierce and tough, beautiful, and strong. Consistently, you prove to be the best protector around. In a land of sweeping sand, you are my solid ground and I walk wholeheartedly into this life with you.

I promise to be faithful and honest,
To treat you with respect and honor you as my wife
To help you be your best self, and forgive you when you are not
To fill our life with warmth and adventure
To pace you up the mountain knowing you will lead me back down.
To hold you and be held by you for as long as we live.

And then… FOOD TRUCK TACO reception!!!! Margaritas were poured, DJ Tess played the jams, and although COVID might have forced Rachel and Caitlin to change their original wedding plans, I’m pretty sure that this backyard food truck wedding will go down in history as one of the best days ever.